Rumor: Wii Mini Console

Nintendo may be releasing another Wii redesign in the near future. The information was part of an internal release schedule from a major retailer that at this time we are unable to disclose. After combing through the details we've gleaned the following information:

If true, this will mark the second redesign of the Wii console. The first was last year and made the console slightly smaller, removing the GameCube controller ports. How much smaller the already-petite console can get is indeed a mystery. This brings to mind similar swan-song reiterations of past Nintendo systems, such as the NES and SNES 101 redesigns and the Game Boy Micro. As soon as any new information is revealed, you can be sure we'll be here to cover it. Stay tuned.

I'm confused....why would they still be putting focus on the Wii console with the Wii U out? And I would have thought by now the largest sects of the population interested in the system would have already gotten one at this point.

i find it hard to believe this rumor. It would confuse the public and how much smaller can it get?

They released the NES 2 after the SNES was out, and the SNES 2 after the N64 was out. I think they could find some way to shrink it even more. They could advertise it as a more portable Wii, like Sony with the PSOne.

If this rumor is truee then I could see the Wii being re-designed into small like the PS2 slim. Instead of having a disc slot then this smaller Wii would have a disc tray similar to that on the PS2 slim. The back of the console would still have the normal Wii ports, but the Gamecube ports would be gone, of course, and the overall unit would produce less heat. What I would like is for Nintendo to put about 2GBs of flash memory into this new Wii.

Perhaps they get rid of the DVD drive altogether and make it a download only device. I can't see them investing enough in the Wii infrastructure alone to make that happen, but if it was part of the making Wii compatibility more compelling on the Wii U (and for example, offering the Wii back catalog on the Wii U eShop), perhaps this could trickle down into a Wii only download service as well.

I'm confused....why would they still be putting focus on the Wii console with the Wii U out? And I would have thought by now the largest sects of the population interested in the system would have already gotten one at this point.

A redesign wouldn't put the focus on the Wii. It would just allow them to manufacture them cheaper. There are still hold outs, such as PS3/360 owners who didn't want to spend more than $100 just to play Mario and Zelda.

Quote from: TruenoGT

Perhaps they get rid of the DVD drive altogether and make it a download only device.

Nintendo would have to revamp the Wii's entire online shop to accommodate downloads of retail games because a WiiWare/Virtual Console machine, while intriguing, is severely limiting. It's not a Wii anymore if it can't play retail games in any capacity. I don't see that as a priority for them. If a Wii Lite is coming, I would imagine it would just cut the dimensions down to the bare minimum though it would be interesting if Nintendo somehow managed to reintroduce GameCube backwards compatibility in a smaller packaged Wii.

I'm confused....why would they still be putting focus on the Wii console with the Wii U out? And I would have thought by now the largest sects of the population interested in the system would have already gotten one at this point.

A redesign wouldn't put the focus on the Wii. It would just allow them to manufacture them cheaper. There are still hold outs, such as PS3/360 owners who didn't want to spend more than $100 just to play Mario and Zelda.

Quote from: TruenoGT

Perhaps they get rid of the DVD drive altogether and make it a download only device.

Nintendo would have to revamp the Wii's entire online shop to accommodate downloads of retail games because a WiiWare/Virtual Console machine, while intriguing, is severely limiting. It's not a Wii anymore if it can't play retail games in any capacity. I don't see that as a priority for them. If a Wii Lite is coming, I would imagine it would just cut the dimensions down to the bare minimum though it would be interesting if Nintendo somehow managed to reintroduce GameCube backwards compatibility in a smaller packaged Wii.

Like I said, if this rumor is true then I bet that the Wii slimmer will be about the same size as the PS2 slim and it might retail for $99.99.

The Wii is already about the same size as the PS2 slim. The PS2 slim is 9.1 inches long, Wii is 8 inches. PS2 and Wii are both 6 inches wide. PS2 is 1.1 inches thick, Wii is 1 inch thick. So the Wii is actually already smaller than the PS2 slim.

hmmm, a redesign. No disk drive, no gamecube compatability, an ethernet port, download only, hulu plus, youtube, amazon, netflix, expanded media player, make it usb hard drive compatable, make it have a built in 250 GB hdd. Throw it in the Roku section. Call it a Wii Micro. Sell it for $69.99

The Wii is already about the same size as the PS2 slim. The PS2 slim is 9.1 inches long, Wii is 8 inches. PS2 and Wii are both 6 inches wide. PS2 is 1.1 inches thick, Wii is 1 inch thick. So the Wii is actually already smaller than the PS2 slim.

I shot myself in the foot with that one. What I meant was for Nintendo to take out the standard Wii disc drive and replace it with a disc tray. Then reconfigure the motherboard of the Wii with cheaper and a more energy efficient chipset and the smaller Wii is finished.

I don't think they could make the Wii any smaller unless they replace the disc drive with a disc tray, which I would be all for. I'll probably get another Wii as a backup once they start being marked down on clearance, so I hope this is true.

The Wii is already about the same size as the PS2 slim. The PS2 slim is 9.1 inches long, Wii is 8 inches. PS2 and Wii are both 6 inches wide. PS2 is 1.1 inches thick, Wii is 1 inch thick. So the Wii is actually already smaller than the PS2 slim.

The Wii is taller than the slimline PS2. Laying flat, the Wii is 1.73 inches tall vs. the slimline PS2's 1 inch height.

Quote from: Mop

I don't think they could make the Wii any smaller unless they replace the disc drive with a disc tray, which I would be all for. I'll probably get another Wii as a backup once they start being marked down on clearance, so I hope this is true.

There's quite a bit Nintendo can do to make the Wii smaller, even with a slot drive. At this point, Nintendo could have the chipsets redesigned to be even smaller and require less power so the heatsink could be removed. If you look at the slimline PS2, some of its bulk can be attributed to the controller ports and memory card slots. Additionally, the newer slimline models don't have a power brick as that whole dealie has been incorporated into the console itself so depending on how that's handled could affect the size. Unless Nintendo insists on putting Gamecube controller ports and memory card slots back into a new Wii model, they can get it down to something a little larger than an Apple Superdrive.

I would totally pick up a redesigned Wii at some point considering I have a near-launch Wii and I'm not terribly fond of the Wii U's Wii Mode. It would be nice to have a backup.

I would have no problem owning a Wii that is the same dimensions, or smaller, than the PS2 slim. It is light weight and easy to carry. It also produces less heat and requires less energy, so that is a good thing.

I'm saying that a Download-only Wii simply will not happen anytime in the next year. I bet a $20 eShop card on it. Anyone want to take me up on that bet?

I'd take a wager that a Download-only Wii will never happen. No retail games were released digitally, so while there is a decent library of virtual console and Wii Ware games, would they abandon a disc drive when anyone goes into a Gamestop and still sees half the aisles dedicated to Wii discs?

I'm saying that a Download-only Wii simply will not happen anytime in the next year. I bet a $20 eShop card on it. Anyone want to take me up on that bet?

I'd take a wager that a Download-only Wii will never happen. No retail games were released digitally, so while there is a decent library of virtual console and Wii Ware games, would they abandon a disc drive when anyone goes into a Gamestop and still sees half the aisles dedicated to Wii discs?

A disc tray has the same problem as a slot drive: an extra moving part, except a tray comes out of system which seems less sturdy. I wouldn't mind it being top loading like the Gamecube with that awesome and underrated disc eject button.

Quote from: Kytim89

I am still betting on something similar to the PS2 slim.

I'd bet on it being even smaller. Unlike PS2, the Wii has no controller ports and the SD card slot is much smaller than a PS2 memory card slot (plus there's 1 fewer slot).

A disc tray has the same problem as a slot drive: an extra moving part, except a tray comes out of system which seems less sturdy. I wouldn't mind it being top loading like the Gamecube with that awesome and underrated disc eject button.

Quote from: Kytim89

I am still betting on something similar to the PS2 slim.

I'd bet on it being even smaller. Unlike PS2, the Wii has no controller ports and the SD card slot is much smaller than a PS2 memory card slot (plus there's 1 fewer slot).

I bet this new Wii slim will have a sliding disc cover similar to that of the PS3 slimmer.

In regards to whether the Cubeless Wii counts as a revision, I would say it does entirely because ten years from now the distinction would matter to a retro videogame collector. Getting the Cube backwards compatibility might be important to you so you would need to be aware of the two variations to avoid getting the wrong one.

A download-only Wii is a dumb idea for one simple reason: who is going to buy this? Download-only seems more like a hardcore gamer thing and what hardcore gamer that is interested in the Wii doesn't already own one? This isn't some SKU on a new system. It's an old ass system that's borderline obsolete. So Nintendo is going to go to the trouble to reconfigure the existing Wii store to accomodate this function for an obsolete system that the only demographic that would even care about this has long regarded as a joke? How many of these would they sell? Would it even be 100?

Now a download-only Wii U would make some sense because it is a current system and the store infrustracture is already in place. Nintendo is even offering all of their retail titles as downloads.

Though I have to ask: what is the appeal of download only? So if a game comes out ONLY in physical media you can't play it? This is a GOOD thing? I buy a Wii or a Wii U today and I can play EVERYTHING. It doesn't matter if it's a disc or a download.

If the mini-Wii rumors are true then here are some of my predictions for the console:

It will be thinner than the PS2 with slightly smaller dimensions (sans the memory and controller ports). It will have a redesigned powercord and pord (similar to the PS2 slim). The disc slot of the normal Wii will be replaced with a disc tray (similar to the PS2 slim). The Disc slot will have a sliding cover activated by a button. The console will have redesigned buttons and LEDs. There will be no Gamecube controller or memory card ports. The SD card slot will have a similar cover to that on the DSi or 3DS.

The DSi and 3DS have that specific SD Card slot cover so that the SD card doesn't accidentally eject in your pocket. It's a little tougher to open than the door on the Wii or Wii U. There's no need for one of those on a home console. If Nintendo does redesign the console, I'd expect the cover for the sync button and SD Card slot to feature the same out-of-the-way, sliding in-console design as the Wii U.

I don't know if Nintendo would switch back to a top loading design because the Wii has that ridiculous LED around the disc slot that tells when you've received WiiConnect24 things. I guess they could just put the light somewhere or preferably, make it less intrusive. If it was top loading, I'd expect it to pop up like the GameCube instead of that ridiculous sliding door that the new PS3 has. Why would Nintendo copy the worst design choice on the new PS3 of all things? And besides, with a design so small, the door would be hanging over the console itself making it flimsier and more prone to getting caught on things. Again, I'll take that bet if you really believe it.

The DSi and 3DS have that specific SD Card slot cover so that the SD card doesn't accidentally eject in your pocket. It's a little tougher to open than the door on the Wii or Wii U. There's no need for one of those on a home console. If Nintendo does redesign the console, I'd expect the cover for the sync button and SD Card slot to feature the same out-of-the-way, sliding in-console design as the Wii U.

I don't know if Nintendo would switch back to a top loading design because the Wii has that ridiculous LED around the disc slot that tells when you've received WiiConnect24 things. I guess they could just put the light somewhere or preferably, make it less intrusive. If it was top loading, I'd expect it to pop up like the GameCube instead of that ridiculous sliding door that the new PS3 has. Why would Nintendo copy the worst design choice on the new PS3 of all things? And besides, with a design so small, the door would be hanging over the console itself making it flimsier and more prone to getting caught on things. Again, I'll take that bet if you really believe it.

The only logical solution to making the Wii smaller is to change the disc slot to a tray. Perhaps Nintendo will put the disc tray in the middle of the console with a LED ring around it to illuminate when messages are avaialble on the system. In hindsight the sliding cover idea is a little silly, but how small can this thing get?

The only logical solution to making the Wii smaller is to change the disc slot to a tray.

Why?

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In hindsight the sliding cover idea is a little silly, but how small can this thing get?

Very. Look up the Apple Superdrive. If Apple could make it thinner, they probably would. I'm not saying Nintendo would make go for something that thin; I'm just trying to give you an idea how small a USB slot drive can be. Take out the heatsink, shrink the semiconductor die etc. and they can make it incredibly small.

Do you think that Nintendo will provide some kind of transfer application to allow Wii-to-Wii transfer of save data?

NoThey didn't do it in the Wii's lifetime, including when they redesigned the Wii the first time. If this rumored second redesign happens (I don't think it will), I don't see why Nintendo would decide to do it now

In regards to whether the Cubeless Wii counts as a revision, I would say it does entirely because ten years from now the distinction would matter to a retro videogame collector. Getting the Cube backwards compatibility might be important to you so you would need to be aware of the two variations to avoid getting the wrong one.

A download-only Wii is a dumb idea for one simple reason: who is going to buy this? Download-only seems more like a hardcore gamer thing and what hardcore gamer that is interested in the Wii doesn't already own one? This isn't some SKU on a new system. It's an old ass system that's borderline obsolete. So Nintendo is going to go to the trouble to reconfigure the existing Wii store to accomodate this function for an obsolete system that the only demographic that would even care about this has long regarded as a joke? How many of these would they sell? Would it even be 100?

Now a download-only Wii U would make some sense because it is a current system and the store infrustracture is already in place. Nintendo is even offering all of their retail titles as downloads.

Though I have to ask: what is the appeal of download only? So if a game comes out ONLY in physical media you can't play it? This is a GOOD thing? I buy a Wii or a Wii U today and I can play EVERYTHING. It doesn't matter if it's a disc or a download.

What the hell are you ranting on about? Hardcore gamers only download games? Tell that to all the people playing iOS and Android games.